USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES FUNDS
TO TOWN OF AFTON FOR WATER PROJECT
 

February 11, 2005 - Afton, WY - USDA Rural Development provided $3,124,000 to the Town of Afton
for their water project. Funds will be used to provide improvements to the town's water system.
The proposed project includes replacement of aged, leaking distribution lines, installation of
meters throughout the system to promote water conservation, and construction of a new well
as an additional water source. It is projected the project will benefit 835 users by providing them
with adequate, decent, safe and sanitary drinking water.  

The funding from USDA Rural Development was a combination loan/grant. The loan is in the amount
of $2,217,000 and the grant totals $907,000. Total cost of the project is projected to be $4,631,000
with the State of Wyoming providing the balance of the funds from the State Land and Investment
Board (SLIB) and Wyoming Water Development Commission.

According to Acting State Director Bill Butler, "The Rural Utilities Program, an agency of the USDA
Rural Development mission area, administers the water and waste/water loan and grant program
to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in rural America. Priority is given
to public entities in areas with less than 5,500 people to restore a deteriorating water supply, or to
improve, enlarge, or modify a water facility or an inadequate waste facility."

For additional information regarding the RUS programs, contact the Rural Development
State Office at (307) 233-6719